ABOUT HAWAII INVITATIONAL
A Spring Break tradition since 1980, the Hawai’i Invitational International Music Festival is the proud sponsor of one of the largest parades on the Islands, the spectacular “Salute to Youth” Parade.
Jay Johnson
Founder, Hawaii Invitational
While working toward his degree in Business Finance, Jay began working at the family-owned At Your Service Travel Advisors in 1985. What started as a pit stop before conquering the world of high finance turned into a lifelong career. He quickly realized that planning vacations and incentive travel was a fun and rewarding profession. In 1997, Jay purchased the company and founded the Hawaii Invitational, applying for and earning membership into the elite travel organization Virtuoso (formerly API). Rather than focus on mass market travel packages, Jay set his sights on creating premium, one-of-a-kind experiences, a philosophy that has guided HIT into becoming the most exclusive and largest high school music festival in Hawaii.
Stephanie Louzil
Group and Festival Coordinator
Stephanie started her travel industry career in public relations at a five-star, five-diamond luxury resort in Southern California. There, she realized that her attention to detail, passion for planning, and desire to explore worldwide destinations were best suited for a career in travel advising. After a brief stint on the leisure travel side of the industry, Stephanie found her calling in group travel, planning and hosting corporate trips for Fortune 500 companies to destinations around the globe. Today, she brings that same expertise to the Hawaii Invitational, managing group and student travel logistics and ensuring every band, orchestra, and auxiliary unit that makes the trip to the islands has a seamless experience from start to finish.
Carla Crittenden
Festival Coordinator
Carla began at At Your Service Travel Advisors in 1979, right out of college as the assistant bookkeeper. From those humble beginnings, she emerged as the Director of Festival for the Hawaii Invitational. In 1997, HIT was a struggling venture that consisted of one local high school band going to Hawaii to “compete” with other bands. Pretty hard to do when you’re the only band in town. Carla took over the reins, and using her incredible organizational and accounting mind, transformed the once-dormant festival into the most exclusive and largest high school music festival in Hawaii. Over the decades, she has attracted hundreds of bands and auxiliary units to the Aloha State, garnering the attention of major media outlets throughout the world.
Corkie Keys
Festival Coordinator
Corkie began a career in pageantry in middle school as a “letter girl” in The Music Man Youth Band in Southern California. She was later a charter member of her high school’s color guard and served as captain for three years. Over a 30-plus year teaching career, Corkie has taught color guard at every level, from beginner junior high students to Drum Corps International finalists. She is also an auxiliaries caption adjudicator with the Southern California School Band & Orchestra Association and the Winter Guard Association of Southern California. That deep background in pageantry and adjudication makes Corkie an invaluable part of the Hawaii Invitational team, where she helps ensure that every performing group is supported and celebrated throughout the festival.
Cheyanne Foster
Festival Coordinator
Cheyanne’s love for travel began at a young age, but it was a solo trip to India that truly changed everything. Immersing herself in a culture unlike anything she’d experienced before, she realized travel was far more than sightseeing. It was something that could only be understood firsthand. After earning her degree in Communications with an emphasis in Entertainment and Tourism from California State University, Fullerton, Cheyanne launched her career planning complex travel itineraries for leisure travelers, cruise clients, college students, and professional sports teams. That experience with student and group travel made her a natural fit for the Hawaii Invitational team, where she brings her organizational skills and passion for creating meaningful travel experiences to every festival season.
Thomas Philips
Festival Liasion
Thomas has been part of the Hawaii Invitational family since 1997, first bringing his own high school bands to Oahu every other year and later helping work the festival as a band escort and judge. A graduate of California State University, Fullerton with a degree in Music Education, Thomas spent 36 years as a high school band director in Southern California, earning over one hundred sweepstakes awards and multiple “Teacher of the Year” honors along the way. Most recently, he organized the “605 All Star Band,” a 540-student composite marching band representing seven high schools and three school districts that marched in the 2025 Tournament of Roses Parade. Now retired from teaching, Thomas brings his deep connections in the marching band community and decades of firsthand festival experience to his role in business development and sales for HIT. His goal is simple: he wants every student who comes to the island to have the best experience and create memories that last a lifetime.
Edwin Leveron
Festival Admin & Billing Specialist
Edwin brings a strong background in billing and account management, with experience supporting both school and corporate groups. His attention to detail and focus on accuracy ensure that invoices, payments, and account records are handled smoothly and on time. As of this year, Edwin serves as the primary point of contact for individual families, helping answer questions, resolve any issues, and make sure every family’s experience with the Hawaii Invitational is as seamless as the trip itself. Whether it’s walking a parent through the payment process or coordinating with schools and team members behind the scenes, Edwin is dedicated to clear communication and reliable support every step of the way.